The Changer

The message was brought by Rev. Bob Surber on August 13, 2023.

Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

The church is celebrating 60 years today.  Sixty years ago I was eight years old, just little. I felt good. I was taken care of. I had no worries.  Now lots of things have changed. I don’t have much hair. I can’t run. I’ve lost lots of things (except weight)!  But God is still the same all these years later.

Over time many things have changed, much of it for the worse. Some things though are still the same.  Sin.  The devil and how he works. Many of the sins prevalent today were around back then but not done in the open as they are today. These days right is wrong and wrong is right. One thing hasn’t changed.  People cannot change the nature of their soul. We can’t do it ourselves. I can make a lot of changes to myself, but there are things I cannot change.  For the matters of the heart and soul, God is the only Changer.  As born again believers we must remember that our citizenship is in heaven. We may be Americans but by faith we’re members of the Kingdom of God.  I don’t have a birth certificate for it, but God recorded it when I accepted Jesus as Savior.

Think of all Jesus changed when he was here on earth. It’s never been the same.  In fact, history divides time as BC (Before Christ) and AD (stands for two Latin words, ‘Anno Domini’, meaning ‘in the year of the Lord’). The fact that Jesus came changed history and if you believe in him he can change not only your history but your destination when you die.  Think of all Jesus did. At a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, he took care of things when the host ran out of wine.  His mother told the servants to do what Jesus said.  They brought water to Jesus and it was no longer water when the master of the feast tasted it. Jesus changed it. When we drink from him he changes us. He’s the water of life.  At the feeding of 5,000 he took a little and changed it into a lot. The people were hungry and after having been told to feed them, all the disciples could find was the lunch of a little boy, 5 loaves and 2 fish. He blessed it and counting women and children, probably 15 to 20 thousand were fed. And lots was left over.  We may only have a little to offer, but he can make it a lot. We just have to give it to him.  Don’t say “I can’t.” When it comes to Christ, we can!  Why?  He’s the Changer!  He turned a raging sea to a dead calm.  If there’s a storm raging in your life, Jesus can calm it or calm you to get through it.  The woman caught in the act of adultery was changed when her accusers left and Jesus said “neither do I condemn thee; go and sin no more.” 

Whatever you need changed today, Jesus can do it.  He knows what you and I need.  Come to him today.  Don’t hesitate.  He is the Changer!